Around 120,000 orders were made from Iraq, where thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to demand Mr al-Zeidi's release.

Today it was claimed Mr al-Zeidi was tortured into writing a letter of apology to Mr Bush - and told his brother he would 'do it again'.

The TV reporter, who was previously twice arrested by American armed forces in Iraq, has deeply angered the country's new rulers.

He carried out the act in front of hundreds of reporters, photographers and cameramen at a press conference with the U.S. president and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Throwing shoes is an act of extreme disrespect in Arab cultures and the incident has become a potent symbol for opponents of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

‘This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people,’ Mr al-Zaidi yelled in Arabic as he threw his first shoe towards Mr Bush on December 14.

Free advertising: The moment an Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at Mr Bush

And as he lobbed the second he shouted: ‘This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq.’

Mr Bush ducked twice, avoiding being hit by the footware, before Mr al-Zaidi was pulled to the floor by another journalist and dragged outside by state security guards.

Mr ak-Zaidi was then beaten around the face and eyes, the judge presiding over the case acknowledged last week.

Today Mr al-Zaidi’s brother, Uday, claimed he also saw more-severe injuries, including a missing tooth and burns on his ears made by cigarettes when he visited him yesterday.

He also said the journalist for Egypt-based Al-Baghdadia TV now plans to sue Iraqi authorities.

The prime minister’s office said last week that al-Zeidi had written a letter of apology and asked al-Maliki to recommend a pardon.

Torture? Muntadhar al-Zeidi was forced to write an apology, it was claimed

Uday al-Zeidi said his brother told him the letter was written against his will because of torture during detention that included being doused with cold water while naked.

‘He told me that he has no regret because of what he did and that he would do it again,’ he said.

‘The thing that makes you cry and laugh at the same time is that when the prime minister said that that my brother was not tortured and will not be tortured, he was under severe torture by security authorities.’

The prime minister, meanwhile, claimed that al-Zeidi said in the apology letter that a known terrorist had induced him to throw the shoes.

‘He revealed... that a person provoked him to commit this act and that person is known to us for slitting throats,’ Mr al-Maliki said.

The alleged instigator was not named.

Protest: Iraqis have taken to the streets to demand Mr al-Zeidi is released

The premier also said that his government remains ‘committed to protecting the journalist in performing his professional duty’ and guarantees him the right to practice his profession ‘on condition that he does not violate the dignity of others.’

Neither Mr Bush nor Mr al-Maliki have sought charges, but investigating judge Dhia al-Kinani said last week he does not have the legal option to drop the case.

Mr Al-Zeidi is expected to face charges of insulting a foreign leader, for which a conviction could bring two years’ imprisonment.